Phyllis Elizabeth Koch

Phyllis Elizabeth Koch (Castor), 80, of Neptune and formerly of Brigantine passed away among her beloved family on January 17, 2026.

Left behind to sing her praises and carry on her attitude of love and gratitude are her son Frank J. Koch Jr. and his wife Joy, her daughter Jill M. Osis and her husband Dave, eight perfect grandchildren: Sarah, Avery, James, Michael (Taylor), Brittany, Brandon, Madison, and Abigail and 5 amazing great-grandchildren: Nevaeh, Noah, Mikayla, Jabarri, and Michael, and her sister Janet Coleman. Waiting to greet her on her departure from this world are her beloved husband, Frank Sr., parents Ethel and Horace, sister Frances, and sweet dogs Trixie, Emysu, and Katie.

Phyllis was the first person in her family to attend college, graduating from James Madison University as a medical technologist. Although she started her career as a medical technologist (and let everyone know it!), after having her children Phyllis returned to Glassboro State College and earned her teaching degree. She taught in the Brigantine School District until her retirement.

Phyllis’s greatest accomplishment was raising children who carry her message of love for family and a desire to give back to the community. In 1967, Phyllis married the love of her life, Frank Koch; together, they built a life on the island of Brigantine, just off the coast of Atlantic City. She was deeply involved in her community as a member and past president of the PTA, volunteering for local youth sports teams, coaching youth softball, and serving as a beloved teacher at the local elementary school. Phyllis was an avid softball, tennis, and volleyball player. In 1992, Phyllis made history as only the second Democrat and the first woman elected to the Brigantine Beach City Council.

Phyllis lived with Multiple Sclerosis for many years, yet she approached every day with grace, joy, and happiness. Rather than grieving her diagnosis, she saw it as an opportunity; she joined the local MS Society and quickly rose through the ranks of leadership, eventually organizing multiple MS Walks on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Her love for life was unmatched. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and she made sure everyone who would listen knew it!

Phyllis’s last days on this earth were spent surrounded by family, stories, love, and God - which is exactly how she lived her life! A Celebration of Life will be held for Phylis on January 31, 2026 at 11:00am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 503 Asbury Ave, Asbury Park NJ. 07712. If you wish, donations in her honor can be made to The Trinity Center for Community to support their Code Blue Warming Center that shelters community members from the cold on freezing winter nights. Donations can be sent to 503 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 with a memo of “Code Blue” and indicating that it is in memory of Phyllis.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com